1. Classification

2. What is Classification?
Classification is the arrangement of organisms into orderly groups based on their similarities

3. Classification Groups
There is a hierarchy of groups (taxa) from broadest to most specific
The system is as follows: DOMAIN - KINGDOM – PHYLUM – CLASS – ORDER – FAMILY – GENUS – SPECIES

4. Dumb
King
Phillip
Came
Over
For
Gooseberry
Soup!

6. Benefits of Classifying
Accurately & uniformly names organisms
Prevents misnomers such as starfish & jellyfish that aren't really fish
Uses same language for all names

7. Early Scientists 2000 years ago, Aristotle was the first taxonomist
Aristotle divided organisms into plants & animals
He subdivided them by their habitat ---land, sea, or air dwellers

8. Linnaeus 1707 – 1778 Classified organisms by their structure
Developed naming system known as binomial nomenclature
Two-word name (Genus & species)

9. Binomial Nomenclature
First word in the organism’s scientific name is its “genus” Example: pumas, marbled cats, and house cats all classified in the genus “felis.” They share the same characteristics
Genus is always capitalized.
The second word in the organism’s scientific name is “species.” It describes a distinctive feature of the organism. It can mate with each other and produce offspring that can also mate and reproduce.
 Species is always lower case

10. Binomial Nomenclature
“Bi” means two
“Nomen” means name
Linnaeus devised a system of naming organisms. Linnaeus placed organisms in groups based on their observable features. Each organism has a unique, two-part scientific name. This naming system is called binomial nomenclature

11. Binomial Nomenclature
First word in the organism’s scientific name is its “genus” Example: pumas, marbled cats, and house cats all classified in the genus “felis.” They share the same characteristics
Genus is always capitalized.
The second word in the organism’s scientific name is “species.” It describes a distinctive feature of the organism. It can mate with each other and produce offspring that can also mate and reproduce.
 Species is always lower case

12. Dichotomous Key
A dichotomous key consists of a series of two part statements that describe the characteristics of an unknown. 
At each step the user is presented with two choices. 
As the user makes a choice about a particular characteristic of an organism they are led to a new branch of the key. 
Eventually the user will be led to the name of the organism that they are trying to identify.